West Virginia child Care โฃProviders Face Financial โคCrisis as โขState Altersโ Subsidy Rules
BRIDGEPORT, W.va. – A recent change in how โWest Virginia calculates child care subsidies is threatening after-school programs across the state, potentially shifting costs onto families and jeopardizing access to care for โhundreds of โขchildren. โThe new rule, impacting reimbursement rates, โhas left providers scrambling โto adjust andโฃ warning of significant financial losses.
Jennifer Trippett, owner of Cubby’s Child Care Center in Bridgeport -โ the state’s largest facility serving approximately 450 children, including 150 in after-school care – estimates she will lose $35,000 per month. โขThe โchangeโ stems from a requirement that children must attendโ for more thanโ four hoursโ daily to qualify forโค full subsidy payments,a conditionโ Trippett saysโ was not previously communicated. โขThis impacts programs offering shorter after-school sessions, andโฃ forces providers to either absorb the losses or increase rates for familiesโค who pay privately.
The altered policy arrives at a critical juncture for working families in West Virginia, where affordable child care โremains a โsignificant challenge. State officialsโ implemented the โขchange to โalignโฃ payment structures with actual โenrollment, but providers argue it fails to account for the realities of after-school careโค and the vital role subsidies playโ in making it accessible. โWithout sufficient funding,programs might โpotentially be forced to reduce services,limit enrollment,or even close,leaving parents with fewer options and potentially hindering their ability to participate in the workforce.
Trippett expressed โคfrustration over โthe lack of prior notification regarding theโ four-hour attendance requirement. “I haven’t evenโ looked at โmy October budgetโ yet, because it just makes me sick,”โ sheโค said. Sheโ added that โtheโ only viable solution to offset the financial strain is to raise prices for families already โขstruggling with theโ cost of care.”The only way that I can increase my income โis off the backs of people who pay to much already,” she stated.
The situation is unfolding as state lawmakers considerโข broader reforms to the โฃchildโ care system, including potential increases in reimbursement rates and investments inโ workforceโ development. However, the immediate impact of the new subsidy rule is creating a sense of urgency โamong providers and raising concerns about the futureโค of after-school care โคin West Virginia.
Erin Beck contributed reporting.
